Five Flyers Observations : 6 Unanswered Fuels The Flyers Victory
Game two in the Chuck Fletcher era was a lot better for the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 6-2, Saturday afternoon in Buffalo to start 5-game road-trip.
The Flyers were led offensively by captain, Claude Giroux. Giroux had his 11th career 4-point game. Scoring his 11th on the season and adding 3 assists. Overall, the Flyers are 11-0-0 when Giroux has a 4-point game.
Travis Konecny, Wayne Simmonds, Dale Weise, James van Riemsdyk, and Ivan Provorov each added a goal for the Flyers.
Anthony Stolarz stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced. Including the last 20 shots he faced to earn the victory for the Flyers.
Here are 4 more observations from the Flyers 6-2 win over the Sabres…
Claude Giroux
It had been 108 games since Claude Giroux lined up as the Flyers #1 center. Today, Claude Giroux moved from his usual leftwing spot to center for the injured Sean Couturier.
The major reason for Giroux’s move to the wing was the wear it had on the now 30-year Giroux. Over his career, Giroux has been at the top of the leagues center rankings. However, with the aging Giroux, Dave Hakstol moved Giroux to the wing last season. Resulting in Giroux’s best career year ever.
However, with Sean Couturier sidelined, someone needed to step up in his spot. That someone was Claude Giroux. Giroux led all Flyers today with a goal and three assists.
When Couturier returns, it will be very interesting to see where Giroux plays. The Flyers needed another center. Could that center have been already on the team?
Stolarz Making Most Of His Time
Once seen as the possible future of the Flyers. Then, not even on the depth chart anymore. Anthony Stolarz time in the Flyers organization has been a roller coaster.
Since being drafted in 2012, Stolarz has risen and fallen on the Flyers goal-tending depth charts. After his first stint with the Flyers, he was seen as the potential future starter for the team. However, after missing almost all of last season, Stolarz future with the Flyers was almost gone.
Missing last season, gave Alex Lyon the inside track to the Flyers net mouth. But, after recovering from major surgery, making the team out of training camp do to an Alex Lyon injury, Stolarz is back and making the most of his time with the team.
Anthony Stolarz started his 4th straight game for the Flyers today. After giving up 2 goals to Jack Eichel in the 1st period, Stolarz stood on his head and lead the Flyers to victory. Given the opportunity to be the workhorse for the Flyers, Stolarz is making the most of it. Another solid game by Stolie The Goalie once again today in Buffalo.
Penalty Kill On Hot Streak
Since giving up three power-play goals to the Lightning on 11/17, the Flyers have killed off 15 of their last 16 penalty kill opportunities. Including 15 straight power-plays killed off. Going 1 for 1 today against the Sabres.
The Flyers have now not allowed a power-play goal in 6 straight games. Seen as the less superior unit of the Flyers special teams, the penalty kill is outshining the Flyers thought to be stellar power-play at the moment.
With the recent turnaround, the Flyers have been performing better in the record column too. After a stretch of giving up a power-play goal in 9 straight games, the Flyers have turned it around. Since that point, the Flyers penalty kill is 24 for 29 (82.8%). Much better number than 39 for 57 (68.4%) before the Flyers ended that streak.
Another Western Canada Road Trip Boost?
Last season, the Flyers used a western Canada road-trip to turn around their season. Could that be happening again?
Today, the Flyers started a 5-game road-trip. The road-trip started on the eastern part of Canada. Well, on the Canadian border in Buffalo New York. And, will finish on the western part of Canada in Vancouver. In total, the Flyers will travel over 6000 miles in the next week.
However, what does this all mean? Nothing if the Flyers come back in the same position when they left for the road-trip. But, if the Flyers come together and bond over those 6000 miles. This trip, just like last season, will be the turning point for the Flyers season.
6000 miles. 8 days. 5 games. Game 1 was a victory. What will the next 4 be?
Result : Flyers 6 – Sabres 2, WIN
Record : 12 – 12 – 3
Next Game : Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg Canada, NBCSports Philadelphia + 3:00pm